Birthday Special: A look back at Ronit Roy’s journey, that’s worth penning down in golden words

Birthday Special: A look back at Ronit Roy’s journey, that’s worth penning down in golden words

Ronit Roy found a mentor in Subhash Ghai, his father's best friend, who let him stay in his house while he struggled to find his foothold in Bollywood. As the actor turns 52 today, we go back the memory lane and tell you his story, that's worth penning in golden words.

Born in Nagpur in a Bengali household, Ronit Roy’s family thought they found an heir to their business. Little did they know, that their elder son had plans to do down in history, as one of the most acclaimed actors in the industry. Having spent his childhood in Ahmedabad, Ronit pursued hotel management post his schooling. Knowing well that his passion resided in acting, he then moved to Mumbai to try his luck. Ronit found a mentor in Subhash Ghai, his father’s best friend, who let him stay in his house while he struggled to find his foothold in Bollywood. Cut to today, Ronit is highly acclaimed as a performer who can easily mold himself in any role. As the actor turns 52 today, we go back the memory lane and tell you his story, that’s worth penning in golden words.

Fascinated by the lifestyle of actors, Ronit at the age of 21, moved to Mumbai but since his father wanted him to do a more secure job, he started off working in a hotel. There Ronit was made to wash dishes, and as the actor mentioned in his interviews, he was proud of his job and did his work with utmost dedication. After his father’s death, Ronit quit his job and decided to focus on his burning passion. In 1992, the actor got his first break in Jaan Tere Naam. The romantic film did quite well at the box office and he was hailed as the next big star. But Ronit was in for a shock of what was waiting for him next.

In the next seven years, Ronit appeared in a number of films but sadly they bombed. Ronit was written off and with no good projects in hand, the actor turned towards alcohol. His personal life also saw a setback with him getting a divorce. From being hailed as a star, suddenly, he was a no one. Then as a ray of light in his darkness, in 2001, Ekta Kapoor called Ronit to play the lead in one of her show. His brother Rohit Roy, who was already doing well on TV encouraged him to take up the offer. With no movie projects in hand, Ronit decided to step into the small screen that was going to change his life forever.

Along with a lead in Kammal, Ekta also asked Ronit to do an eight-week cameo in one of her most popular show Kasautii Zindagi Kay. Playing the ruthless and suave business tycoon Rishabh Bajaj, Ronit got a new lease of life. Ronit became a superstar overnight. He also accepted that since he was working, he did not get time to drink and he managed to kick his alcoholism thanks to television. His popularity in Kasautii landed him the role of Mihir in the most watched show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi opposite Smriti Irani. What followed was a streamline of shows and powerful characters from Dharamraj in Bandini, Aparajit in Kasamh Se to KD Pathak in Adaalat and more recently Neil in Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyar. Ronit also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, where he was appreciated for his grooving skills.

Bestowed with the title of Amitabh Bachchan of the small screen for his strong screen presence and similar baritone, Ronit continued to reach greater heights. His commendable work on TV opened the doors of Bollywood for him once again. In 2010, he starred in Udaan, the film by Vikramaditya Motwane, playing an oppressive father. Apart from receiving a thunderous response, Ronit also won numerous awards for his dark role. His second innings in Bollywood had begun and it has turned out to be truly a dream run.

Ronit was soon showered with strong roles and he did full justice to them. His work list flaunts films like Anurag Kashyap’s That Girl in Yellow Boots and Ugly, Karan Johar’s Student of the Year, Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children, Sanjay Gupta and Ekta Kapoor’s Shootout at Wadala. Recently Ronit has found himself bagging some of his best roles in his career. Be it playing Arjun Kapoor’s father in 2 States, to the menacing politician in Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil and Guddu Rangeela, Amitabh Bachchan’s right hand in Sarkar 3, a corrupt policeman in Akshay Kumar’s Boss, Tiger Shroff’s foster father in Munna Michel and a jailor in Farhan Akhtar’s Lucknow Central. He has also starred in the much appreciated Telugu film Jai Lava Kusa. While Ronit wants to focus on films stating that television is not offering varied roles, the actor is all set to debut in the world of web soon with Alt Balaji’s romantic series Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai.

Not many would know but Ronit also runs Ace Security and Protection agency. It offers its service to some of the biggest stars and films in the industry. On the personal front, post his divorce, Ronit found love in actor Neelam Singh. The couple got married in December 2013. The actor, who already had a daughter from his first marriage, was blessed with a daughter and a son with Neelam. Ronit might be a star when he is on work but he enjoys being the loving father when it comes to his kids. In an interview, Ronit had mentioned, “Parental love is the highest form of human emotion that you can feel.”